The Creative Mind: Finding the OFF Switch
Creative people think differently. People might say they march to the beat of their own drum, or they just have an odd way of looking at the world. And in many respects, people are right — creatives seem to see, feel, and interpret things at odd angles and strange depths. These observations of the world around them could be the very reason WHY they create.
But, the creative urge is often hard to control. Whether someone paints, builds, writes, makes music, or immerses themselves in any activity that requires using their imagination and deeper cognitive thinking, there is great pleasure in the act of creation. Conversely, when a person is not practicing their craft, they may feel anxious, nervous, and overwhelmed by everything going on around them.
Highly creative people often possess what is called Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS). This is the inability to tune out the noise of some everyday work environments.
Bianca Acevedo, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences shares:
“Sensory processing sensitivity is a trait that explains why up to 30 percent of people experience strong reactions to stimuli — strong smells, bright lights, other people’s moods, and even caffeine.
Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), or environmental sensitivity (ES), is a biologically-based trait characterized by increased awareness and sensitivity to the environment. A highly sensitive person — whether child or adult — processes sensory stimuli and information more strongly and deeply than do others. Individuals with SPS express these characteristics:
· Deeper cognitive processing
· More attention to subtleties
· Greater emotional reactivity
· Pausing before acting
· Greater awareness of environmental and social stimuli, including the moods and emotions of others.”
SPS may be the very reason they are good at their craft. When a writer is writing, or a painter is painting or a musician is making music; they are within their art. In the act of creating, these artists are channeling that hypersensitivity into their work. The result is the full immersion of energy and talent in the creation of something wonderful.
The hypersensivity actually gives the artist the inspiration and vision they need to bring life into their work.
But when that creative session ends, so does the ability to channel the hyper-input that is being taken in by their sensory receptors (sight, sound, smell, touch, etc…)
SPS creeps back in once the act of creation ends. Currently, there are varying medications and therapies to help people who have been diagnosed with SPS. Mostly, these remedies are meant to diminish and manage the sensory overload through medication and environmental adjustments.
Sadly, many creatives are unaware of this condition and resort to self-medication, alcohol, drug use, or other harmful means to address their hypersensitivity. The results are usually not so great.
Jenara Nerenberg, author of “Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World that Wasn’t Designed for You,” offers a few constructive coping mechanisms for creatives, including:
· Determine your triggers
The first strategy that is important to utilize is to recognize and acknowledge what your triggers are. For instance, you may tend to get extremely overwhelmed or upset in large and noisy crowds. Therefore, by acknowledging what specific environments or activities may cause you increased stress, you are less likely to put yourself in a situation that causes increased stress.
Additionally, this will be helpful to share with your friends, family and colleagues. This will allow them to avoid potentially creating an uncomfortable situation. As well as help provide support when needed.
· Use sensory-friendly tools
As adults, it may be difficult to avoid certain environments or activities that may cause a sensory overload response. Especially if it is in your workplace. Furthermore, it is helpful to create a sensory-friendly tool kit with things to help reduce the sensory experience.
· Identify safe spaces
Another important strategy to utilize to help cope with a sensory overload response is identifying safe spaces. These are spaces you can reside in when feeling anxious to provide a sense of peace and comfort.
· Develop a routine
Lastly, an effective way to help manage sensory overload is creating a routine. Developing a routine is an efficient way to ensure you are engaging in meaningful activities each day that provide comfort. By doing so, you are less likely to put yourself in a situation that leads to greater stress.
If you’re curious, you can even take a brief self-assessment to see if you’re a Highly Sensitive Person: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/
Remember, being a creative force in this world is a good thing, but too much of it isn’t. After all, no one can be ON all the time. Everyone needs to be able to shut the world OFF, at least once in a while.
